GPU Automatic Fan Control

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Overspeed

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 21, 2008
Messages
227
Hey guys, I seem to be having an issue with my vid card ... maybe. Just finished new rig which has an 8800GTS. Booted up for the first time last week and tried out the CoD4 demo. After about 15-20 mins of gameplay I could hear that my GTS was increasing its fan RPM to stay cool. This is good and normal. Since then I loaded up nTune to see what it's all about. I was playing around with the GPU settings and set the fan control to "direct" and at 100% so I could hear the audible noise at full speed. I then set the control back to automatic and applyed, the fan speed reduced to normal idle. Ok, all normal so far right? Tonight I was playing PREY for a good 3 hours and at no point did the GPU fan increase to compinsate for the heat. Remember I played COD4 for just 20 mins and it sped up, but 3 hours into PREY and nothing. I exited game and quickly launched the Nvidia Monitor. My vid card temp was in the mid 80's. So one of two things is happening here. Either COD4 was so demanding that it really cooked the GPU and in turn the fan sped up while PREY is less demanding after 3 hours ... or ... somehow I have lost automatic fan control. I would value your thoughts on this. For what it's worth, my card idles at 55C.

I would love to know what are normal operational temps for the 8800GTS. Average idle, average load etc. And what are the max safe temps. Lastly I have heard "stories" about users taking apart the GTS and applying better thermal compound to heatsink AND installing an aftermarket fan which are supposed to reduce temps up to 20C across the board. I'm wondering if there is any merit to these stories. Much appreciated.

Finally, and because I know you will ask, yes I have verified that my card is set to automatic fan control in the Nvidia control panel :)
 
i have a feeling that it's much like you mentioned: ramping up for COD4 because it's a demanding game but not ramping up for prey, since it's an older title and doesn't stress the gpu as much.

if you're really concerned, grab a copy of rivatuner and turn on hardware monitoring. this will record the temps, freqs and fanspeed of your card so you can actually 'see' what's going on.


also, check out Blue Falcon's gpu flashing guide. very very useful stuff there. :)
 
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